LIBE 477 B: Reading Review Blog Post 2: STEM/STEAM: The Importance of Integrating STEAM into the Classroom

-

 



I am interested in learning how to integrate STEM/STEAM into my classroom.  Before I can accomplish this I need to learn what it is and how to teach it.  Integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, (most recently Art) and Math should come naturally to most teachers but once they put a label on it, and tell us we have to teach it, I am immediately overwhelmed!


Teaching STEAM in the classroom is not a new concept, but in a rural community it is not as familiar or as convenient to learn more about.  To be honest, it is something I have avoided until now.

It just seemed so overwhelming, especially when you hear the word "engineering."  What do I know about engineering?  

But, as we learned from Reidling, "curriculum changes occur often and the need for information will always exist" (2019, Reference Skills for the School Librarian, p. 3).  As teachers and teacher librarian's it is important for us to be current with the curriculum and that includes being ready to be 21st-century teachers.  

"Inquiry learning" is also a concept that is fairly new over the last few years.  It also delves into the unknown and requires professional development and mentorship to truly understand and adopt.  

From what I have learned Judy Halbert and Linda Kaiser have unlimited knowledge and are at the forefront of "inquiry learning."  I have had the honour of working with them on a number of occasions.  They are truly inspiring and committed to 21st-century learning.

Although Judy and Linda don't teach specifically about STEAM, they do encourage learning through inquiry and provide information and training on just how to do so.  I believe this will be my first step in acquiring knowledge in how to integrate STEAM into both our library and my classroom.  

As mentioned in the page above Judy and Linda are "deeply committed to achieving equity and quality for all learners."  As mentioned in the article below Indigenous students are underrepresented in STEM occupations.  



As a teacher in an isolated, rural community, I realize it is my responsibility to learn more about how to integrate STEAM into our school setting.  It will be more challenging considering our location, lack of services and opportunities and limited internet, technological access and training.    

We are at a disadvantage for access to STEAM training.  We do have access to the internet.   I have found many interesting articles and much information on all of the reasons to teach STEAM in the classroom.  I am up for the challenge!

I am very interested in Media Literacy.  I have always aspired to integrate technology into my class and give students choices about how they present their information.  We tend to revert to Powerpoint presentations but have also used video and other presentation forms.  I am interested in delving deeper into teaching "critical thinking" and providing opportunities for "project based learning" as outlined in BC's "New Curriculum" which we as teachers received two afternoon professional development sessions on how to implement it.  I am not meaning to sound facetious about as serious an issue about a curriculum, but in reality we didn't get much training or time to really get to know it, much less implement it.










https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/curriculum/overview#21-century


The grade level I will focus on will be the intermediate grades.  I would like to focus on teaching STEAM from an indigenous perspective.  I would like to integrate and encourage the use of technology and video and image publishing.  

Besides integrating STEAM into my teaching, I would like to learn how to teach critical thinking and 21st-century learning.  I would like to broaden my own horizons in order to broaden the horizons of my students.  

I am having difficulty focusing on one topic for my inquiry.  I am leaning towards using digital technology  as an avenue for students to share their learning about STEAM topics (possibly from and Indigenous perspective). (What does that look like????)

I need help in narrowing down my idea and learning more about how to conduct an inquiry.  This "unknown" has been a barrier to my learning.



https://fsc-ccf.ca/research/stem-for-indigenous-learners/

https://www.uvic.ca/research/assets/docs/rpkm/tippettmilford_findingsfromapre-kindergarten.pdf

https://www.iphoneincanada.ca/app-store/9-year-old-brampton-student-creates-iphone-math-app/

https://globalnews.ca/video/rd/897808451506/?jwsource=cl

https://portal.sd71.bc.ca/group/wyhzgr4/Pages/default.aspx#/=

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSTIXWPu30o&feature=youtu.be

https://watershedsentinel.ca/articles/bcs-new-curriculum/

https://globalnews.ca/news/3693932/teaching-coding-in-canadian-schools-how-do-the-provinces-measure-up/

https://globalnews.ca/video/rd/862021699682/?jwsource=cl

https://globalnews.ca/news/3693932/teaching-coding-in-canadian-schools-how-do-the-provinces-measure-up/

Location: Coral Sea

Comments

  1. Aaron MuellerFebruary 9, 2021 at 6:00 AM

    Well done. A good reflection on your progress so far, with lots of promising results and potential avenues for exploration! You've connected a lot of good guides, ministry of education publications, new curriculum compentencies and other helpful documents to inform and direct your inquiry. Your honest, authentic sharing of the challenges you are working to overcome in a smaller, remote community are admirable and very important for others to see. This was a great post and you are on the right track! Your next post, the last for the Reading Review, should be your best and greatest finds for going forward!

    ReplyDelete
  2. RobertaFebruary 9, 2021 at 7:17 AM

    Thank you Aaron, I have found some excellent resources for the next assignment. As always, I am having difficulty with the formatting of the bibliography on the blog page. I appreciate your feedback!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

LIBE 477B: MODULE 5: FOSTERING READING CULTURES IN SCHOOL: When Reading Isn't Cool

-
Image
Over the years our school has tried a number of different initiatives to promote reading.  Fostering reading cultures in school is an ongoing challenge for children "who don't like to read."  We have silent reading every day, school wide for 1/2 hour.  Some students enjoy the time, others struggle with reading independently.   One way that we encourage students to read are through computer assisted programs that can read to them like Kurzweil and audio books.  Other ways are to read to them, introduce new books, explore their interests and purchase books that they will get excited about.   https://virl.bc.ca/read-watch-listen/listen/audiobooks/ I have shown the grade K/1/2 class how to "search" for books using our school library site.  This has been a great way to allow students the opportunity to look for books and to find them on the shelf based on the call number and author location.   Students get excited to find books where they are supposed to be and very
Read more

LIBE 477 B: Module 6: Developing our Skills, Embracing Lifelong Learning While Inspiring 21st-Century Learners

-
Image
They say "ignorance is bliss."  Wow!  Before working on this project, I had no idea the vast amount of resources and training that  is available to me.   I am interested in 21st-Century learning and integrating STEM/STEAM into my classroom.  I am honestly overwhelmed at the prospect of "self-initiated" projects.  After getting past the hurdles of living in a remote community with limited resources and the lack of professional  development opportunities I realize there are many ways to improve my skills, explore new learning and make new connections.   Upon searching I have found many useful websites and training opportunities.  First, I would work on utilizing the Spiral Playbook to learn how to lead "with an inquiring mindset in school systems and schools" (Canadians for 21st Century Learning and Innovation, 2017). "The Spiral Playbook offers a concise introduction to an evidence-based model of collaborative inquiry"  (p. 7).  Using this resourc
Read more

LIBE 477 B: Module 9: SUMMARIZING AND DISCUSSING PHASE 2 TOPICS AND INTERESTS: THE WORLD AT OUR FINGERTIPS

-
Image
 As teacher librarians we have the world at our fingertips!  I have learned it is our duty to be with the times and current in order to effectively share the world with others.  Libraries are not only about books and research, libraries are a link to the outside world literally!  We can travel across the world with technology especially lately since we have been reduced to communicating digitally due to Covid-19.  My interest lies in becoming a 21st-Century educator.  This is not an easy feat.  There are many barriers like remoteness, lack of technology, skills, equipment and access to training and professional development.   Many of the barriers can be overcome with the use of technology, willingness and the desire to learn.  I have learned so much over the last term. Explore:  Areas I have explored include how to be a 21st-Century teacher, integrating STEM/STEAM into the classroom and the benefits of using digital technology to enhance student learning.   21st-Century Teacher:  Take
Read more